What are you thankful for?

FOR THOSE WHO BATTLE HOMELESSNESS,

Martha Are, CEO, Central Florida Commission on Homelessness: Battling homelessness takes a vast army. In Central Florida, it takes the valiant efforts of outreach workers, case managers, shelter staff, health-care providers, landlords, property managers and, importantly, government and civic leaders, taxpayers and donors. We are enormously grateful for their support and for this community’s embrace of a Housing First philosophy — the compassionate and, ultimately, financially prudent effort that prioritizes getting people a place to live before addressing the other challenges in their lives. Finally, we are grateful to those who have experienced homelessness and have the courage and resilience to start over.

MY AUNT BETTY, Lee Constantine, commissioner, Seminole County:

On Nov. 13, my beloved Aunt Betty died at 95, leaving us a great gift — the love of life. Raised working class in the Depression, her family struggled to send the valedictorian to college, our first graduate. Performing in theater, she met Jim and they were married for nearly 60 years. She taught at the prestigious Wellesley College and was active in tennis, swimming, yoga and dance. I never heard her say a negative word and she instilled in us a love of nature. She broke her hip playing tennis in her late 70s but would laugh about how she won the point. At 85, she was zip-lining in the mountains of Costa Rica. An inspiration and a life to be truly thankful for.

GRATITUDE,

John L. Evans Jr. is with promisingpeople.com and consults to businesses worldwide: It’s the biggie. Gratitude. A subset of love, gratitude transforms and radiates. And it’s an existential muscle, to be strengthened for yours and your loved ones’ benefits. But “I beg your pardon, I didn’t promise you a rose garden,” as the ditty goes. I experienced several retinal surgeries several years ago, and was pouting. Yet the patient next to me at Florida Hospital was blind. And joyful and grateful, surrounded by loving grandchildren. His mindset inspires and informs me to this day. Can we be more like him?

FOR THOSE WHO SPEAK OUT, Mark Freid, immediate past president, Holocaust Center:

This holiday season, I’m thankful for those who use their voices to support people who are like them, as well as those who aren’t. I’m thankful for those who use their words, their actions and their power to champion uncomfortable causes, to advocate for the marginalized and to show the world that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. I’m thankful for people who are kind, people who are compassionate and people who love without condition or judgment. I’m thankful there are so many people like this in Orlando, in our world, and in my life. This holiday season, I am very, very thankful.

STRONG ECONOMY,

Glenton Gilzean Jr., president/CEO, Central Florida Urban League: We all have a lot to be thankful for, but I am particularly grateful for our state’s incredibly strong economy. Economic data shows that our labor market has grown for the 30th consecutive month and our unemployment rate is 2.7%, a full point lower than the national rate. As I work daily with individuals looking to upskill themselves in a variety of in-demand fields such as sales force and project management, upon graduation, our state’s strong economy allows them to immediately compete for jobs in high-growth, high-wage industries. With high inflation affecting everything from food prices to holiday shopping, this is definitely welcome news for all Floridians.

LEARNING FROM MISTAKES,

David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida:

I’m grateful for mistakes. Or, more accurately, for recognizing them. We all make them, of course. But, too often, we feel like we can’t or shouldn’t admit them. Yet, it’s our mistakes — and our failures — from which we learn and grow. I know that sounds a little trite, but it’s no less true. Every situation is an opportunity for self-evaluation, for insights into how we can reveal more of our best selves. And that’s something to be thankful for.

KNIGHTS’ TALENTS,

Alex Martins, chair, UCF Board of Trustees; CEO, Orlando Magic: I have much to be thankful for at UCF. Many talented, dedicated and caring Knights contribute to unleashing our students’ potential and fueling our region’s broad-based prosperity. I appreciate our world-class faculty bringing vital industry expertise into our classrooms and our dedicated staff supporting our students’ health and well-being. I appreciate our students’ innovation, determination and commitment to supporting each other and the Central Florida community. I am thankful for our alumni and donors giving much of their time and talent to help us achieve our mission. Thank you, Knight Nation, for making our university and our community better!

NORMALCY,

Khalid Muneer, broker/owner Jupiter Properties Central Florida: As we enter the holiday period, this is the first time in three years we feel a sense of normality in our family lives. With over 54 million people traveling (increase of 15% from 2021) for Thanksgiving weekend despite high gas prices (national average is $3.75) and inflation, visiting family and friends has become a priority again after three years of isolation and caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We can be thankful for our local strong economy, general elections passing peacefully with few national disputes and grateful to our leaders for always showing gratitude and leading with empathy.

SENSE OF COMMUNITY, Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida:

This year marks my 10th anniversary since I moved to Orlando to lead CareerSource Central Florida. I am very proud of this organization and the contributions our staff make to residents and businesses in the region. It is truly a blessing to live and work in such a collaborative and caring community. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the gift of being in a magical community with wonderful friends that enrich my life.

FAMILY BLESSINGS, Paul Partyka, past president, Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors:

What a year! Thankful that my wife, with the help of a wonderful pain management doctor, was able to stop all of her opioid medicines. Thankful we were able to focus on getting a new home that she and our family could enjoy. Thankful she was able to design and renovate, with a team of great tradespeople, the house utilizing her interior design skills to create a beautiful, stunning, homey place for our family and friends to live and gather. We are thankful to God for all the good things that have happened to us to make this year’s Thanksgiving even more special for us.

A STRONG ARTS COMMUNITY, Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: Expanding the focus beyond my health, church, family and friends, I’m enthusiastically grateful for our vibrant, strong arts community. Matt Palm’s recent Sentinel arts article showcased several organizations celebrating major anniversaries such as the Orlando Philharmonic at 30 years and Rollins’ Annie Russell Theatre at 90. We have thousands of talented arts groups continuing to offer their craft for our mental health, enjoyment, growth and strengthening community. Besides good for the spirit and soul, arts groups are a major economic engine. Many offerings are free, some low cost, and others pricey — something for everyone. Attend and enjoy with gratitude.

THANKS EVERYWHERE, Jim Philips, retired longtime radio talk-show host: What am I thankful for this holiday season? Here’s the short list. My beautiful wife Catherine and our dog Olive, 75 years still on the planet, the Sentinel’s Scott Maxwell, American voters who despise fascism, a good joke that I’ll never remember, my full head of hair, Mustard Seed of Central Florida, Winter Park police, the First Amendment, LaSpada’s cheesesteak sandwich, comedian Bill Burr, great neighbors, retirement from a satisfying career, New York Times, Big Green Egg, Ukrainian freedom fighters. Let me also add ...

SMALL ACTS OF DEMOCRACY, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: After a stressful election year, I am thankful for the small acts of democracy throughout our community. Foremost, I am grateful for all those who performed the simple act of exercising their right to vote — the very foundation of our democracy. Then there are all the people who voluntarily worked to register voters and turn out the vote. Many made calls, sent emails and drove their neighbors to the polls. An army of volunteers gave up many hours to get trained, prepare the stations and staff the polls. Finally, our communities collected thousands of campaign signs for recycling. Our democracy at work.

MAKING THE WORLD BETTER,

Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: Trying to make the world a better place is a value handed down by both my mother and father. From genealogical research, I see where ancestors believed in that value and worked to make things better for others. As emissaries to the future, we must encourage The Golden Rule, as expressed by cultures and religions worldwide. I’m thankful for being raised in a household that believed kindness matters and that my children and grandchildren follow that same value. If we all treated each other with kindness, most of the daily trauma in the news would never happen. Problems can be solved. Spread kindness far and wide.

JOYFUL GATHERINGS, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity: Thanksgiving in my home has always been a gathering of family and friends. Anyone who was without a seat at a table was always welcome, and, trust me, it made for some interesting meals. From seniors from church to seamen from the Navy base, we always seemed to fill the home with laughter and joy. This is the first holiday without my parents, but the tradition continues. I hope your table is filled this week and that you add an extra seat or two for those who need a bit of love and caring.

MILITARY SACRIFICE,

Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican. com: This holiday season, I am most thankful for active military members and veterans, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. It’s certainly not by accident that we live in the most free and prosperous country that ever existed. I’ve had many family members who served, but I have not, which makes me all the more thankful for the sacrifices of military members and their families. In this season of giving, I would encourage folks to consider a donation to one of the many worthy military charities, such as Tunnel to Towers (which also benefits first responders), and Wounded Warrior Project.